In swift retaliation to their loss of a sector of Outer Rim space to the Rebel Alliance in the previous round, this week the Empire came back strong. Fearing the Emperor's displeasure is a powerful incentive indeed it would seem.
ROUND 1: RHEN VAR: RESEARCH FACILITY
The Rebel Alliance just don't seem to be able to take a hint, and despite numerous failed attempts, have once more headed for the ice world of Rhen Var, determined to take out the research facility located there. In this case they have deployed a two pronged attack, with an armoured assault taking place simultaneously. Once again the Imperial troops stationed there put up a strong defense, the front line only ever wavering when the invading Rebel Commandos managed to capture the forward guard tower, but never breaking. The Rebels never seemed able to capitalise on the momentum of their advance, and were always pushed back by the subsequent counter attack by the defenders. It seems it just wasn't meant to be.
ROUND 2: BATTLE OF TALORAAN
Where on land the solid training and armoured might of the Imperial military seemed to be serving the Empire well, the wisdom of the technology they employ in space was becoming seemingly less successful. The Rebels more heavily armoured and armed starfighters seem to be causing the Imperial Navy no end of grief. Rebel strike fleets have been invading Taloraan space with impunity. With no Imperial Star Destroyers available in the sector, the Imperial Navy have had to make do with smaller less impressive capital ships, which while they can hold their own against the cruisers that the Rebel Alliance can throw at them, are finding themselves highly susceptible to attack from heavily armed B-Wing and X-Wing starfighters, and with A-Wing interceptors playing havoc with their defensive TIE Fighter screens, in this encounter the Imperial fleet is found wanting once again, with the Imperial picket line destroyed without taking down a single Rebel capital ship. The Emperor won't be happy with that.
ROUND 3: RHEN VAR: ICE PLAINS
Fending off an infantry attack on the opposite ridge, the Imperial forces garrisoned on Rhen Var now found themselves facing a new threat coming across the distant ice plains. Apparently the Rebels were tired of being defeated on Rhen Var, and were now bringing up heavy support in the form of heavily armoured tanks. The Empire were ready for them however, with a column of Firehawke tanks stationed at the ancient Jedi Temple ruins this side of their base. Taking up positions high on the mountainous ridges either side of the plain, the Firehawke's superior long range capabilities made short work of the Rebels' T1-B hovertanks as they attempted to move in on the harbour. Still, a lapse in the defensive screen allowed Rebel troops to gain a foothold there, and the Imperial forces had to fall back to the ruins and make a stand there. Speedy Freerunner troop transports broke through enemy lines under the cover of Mortar Freerunner fire. A beachhead was established at a plaza complex south of the main ruin, but this was quickly quashed by defending Imperial armour. Victory this day belonged to the Empire.
And with that victory the Empire has secured another sector, which means that both teams now control two sectors each, leaving Yavin as the only map left to battle on.
The Empire gained two victories this week with the Rebels achieving one, giving them 25 and 20 points respectively, resulting in this week's scores being:
Imperials 178.5
Rebels 164.5
The Endgame Yavin is worth twenty points, and the losers will take home no points for this round. So with a 14 point difference between each team it is still all to play for. The Rebels will need to field every single player they can possibly get in order to ensure victory. The loser will not gain any points from this map, so the Alliance still has one last chance to win control of the galaxy.
Good luck to both teams. Spread the word and get your players to check the forums and read whatever plans you may have. As this is the final battle of the campaign we will be starting slightly later than normal at 2100 (that's nine o'clock) GMT (UK time). Also, to make this an epic battle worth fighting for, we will be playing the 32 player version of the map but with increased tickets. This means that while the Rebels will have to make more hits on each deflector tower, they will also have more time to accomplish it in.
Now the game is afoot with equal sectors held by both factions, and only one target on the map remaining. So next week will see the final battle of the campaign, and it is going to be a corker. The Death Star is moving in on the Rebel's primary stronghold, and the outcome of the Battle of Yavin shall decide the fate of the galaxy.
If you feel you have the skills to help out either faction in its quest to rule the galaxy, head on over to:
It is a dark time for the Empire. Despite a string of significant victories against the outlaw Rebellion in the Outer Rim, this alliance of malcontents have still managed to secure yet another sector of Imperial space. The Emperor will not be pleased.
ROUND 1: ENDOR STRIKE TEAM
Following the recent surprise assault on an Imperial shield generator base on the Sanctuary Moon of Endor, Imperial reinforcements flooded in to attempt to rectify this breach in security. Platoons of the Emperor's finest reestablished a perimeter around the installation and fended off further attacks by Rebel Commando units, securing a victory this day and redeeming their brethren who had fallen in the previous skirmish, but it was too little too late, the shield generator was under a very real threat of being compromised. It was clear that the battle for Endor was far from over.
ROUND 2: IMPERIAL CONVOY RAID (KESSEL)
After their victory over Parmel and their re-securing of their research facility in that system, the Imperial Navy was intent on reopening supply lines to the sector to better enable them to resupply and reinforce their units on the Outer Rim. Using Kessel as a final way point, a convoy of Imperial bulk freighters was about to make it's way out to the rim to rendezvous with the sector fleet stationed there. Rebel raiders had other ideas however. Acting on intelligence detailing the convoy's intended route, Y-Wing Bombers and A-Wing Interceptors jumped into the system on a mission to disrupt the Imperial supply lines any way they could. The Empire had a surprise of their own in store, TIE Defenders fresh off the production line from the Parmel research station, here on escort duty. The advanced TIE craft formed a near impenetrable fighter screen that the Rebel ships just could not break. In the end their dogged resilience paid off, and one Freighter was destroyed, but the majority of the convoy survived thanks to the ace flying of the TIE Defender pilots, resulting in another victory for the Empire.
ROUND 3: ENDOR CLEARING
The Rebel insertion into the Imperial stronghold on the forest moon of Endor had been a success. Despite heavy reinforcements of crack Imperial troops bolstering the installations defenses, the small Rebel unit managed to achieve their mission objective and destroy the shield generator. With the Imperial forces on the planet scattered and in disarray, Rebel Commandos now patrolled the forest hunting for survivors. One such group had been tempted into coming out of hiding to secure salvageable parts from a Rebel transport which had crash landed in a clearing. the equipment could be their key to getting off world. On reaching the wreckage however they'd find Rebel Alliance forces waiting for them and the result would be a desperate pitched battle as both units attempted to secure the wreckage and the advantageous high ground. The Rebels managed to secure the area and deployed Mk.II repeating blasters on the upper hull of the downed transport allowing them to mow down any approaching Imperial troopers. The battle was fierce, but short lived, and the Rebels managed to secure another key victory, this one gaining them control of yet another sector.
Imperial Holonet News has released this footage from the Outer Rim front lines showing the recent Imperial victories. The footage featuring their defeat however has mysteriously disappeared:
With the Empire once again achieving two victories and Rebels gaining one, the unadjusted scores are 25 and 20 respectively. Due to a technical issue denying the campaign judges access to the game logs, this week we'll have to waive the un-registered players penalty and stick with the scores as above, when added to the previous tally that leaves us with:
Imperials 153.5
Rebels 144.5
Which leaves us with the Imperial faction slowly but steadily increasing their lead. Additionally as we know the Rebels had a few un-registered players last week, and due to this delay, the campaign officials have judged it fairest to deny the Rebels the choice to decide if they wish to attack Yavin or not, and just play the maps of the remaining sector which will result in another sector victory for either faction and lead us naturally on to the endgame that is the Battle of Yavin.
So the penultimate round of the campaign will take place at:
Rhen Var: Research Facility
Battle of Taloraan
Rhen Var: Ice Plains
So this means that Sunday the 24th will be the final night of the campaign, as either way after this weekend Yavin will be the only part of the galaxy left to fight for. So, Imperials have a chance this week to extend their lead going in to Yavin. Rebels will need to scrape every point they can in order to make sure they can win on Yavin and take control of the galaxy.
This week is without a doubt the most critical one to play for, call on every member of your team to show up folks!
If you feel you have the skills to help out either faction in its quest to rule the galaxy, head on over to:
Rematches would seem to be the order of the day this week, with the majority of the intergalactic encounters occurring on worlds already fought over. But would the results be any different second time around? Time to find out.
ROUND 1: RHEN VAR: RESEARCH FACILITY
Finding sanctuary from the bitterly cold night of the ice world of Rhen Var within a series of ice caverns and tunnels, the reserve forces who withdrew from the last battle when all seemed lost, have regrouped to once again challenge the Imperial troops garrisoned at the research facility complex. Witnessing the tactics used last time by the defending Imperial troops, this assault proved more effective with extensive use of flanking maneuvers to keep the defending troops on their toes. Regardless, victory for the Rebels on this world has proved once more to be elusive. Despite a number of close calls the Imperial forces managed to hold their ground, and once again the Rebel Commandos were sent packing.
ROUND 2: STRIKE AT PARMEL
Having defeated the Imperial starfleet once more at Taloraan, a squadron of Rebel fighters jump back to Parmel to utilize the research station's facilities to re-arm and re-fuel. To their shock they find that Imperial forces have once again taken over the space station, and are supported by another wing of deadly experimental TIE Defenders. Taken by surprise the Rebel pilots are not as prepared for a fight as they might have been, and the Imperial starfighter pilots appear hungry to avenge their earlier defeat. It isn't long before the last Rebel ship is reduced to so much space junk orbiting the planet of Parmel, and space superiority of the system is once again in Imperial hands.
ROUND 3: ENDOR STRIKE TEAM
A Rebel commando unit has been dropped behind enemy lines on the forest moon of Endor. Their plan? To eliminate all enemy units in the immediate vicinity, and destroy the shield generator. Aiming to infiltrate the main complex via a back door within a service bunker. This battle ended up going the Rebel's way with the Empire putting up a stiff defense, especially when defending the complex near to the landing platform, repelling wave after wave of enemy troops, but once this location was lost the defending troops just didn't regroup swiftly enough and were attacked before they could fully consolidate their position in defense of the bunker, resulting in a critical loss for the Empire.
Check out this gun cam footage to see how these battles went down:
Once again this week we find the Imperials taking victory in 2 of the rounds. Victory now seems within their grasp, but unfortunately they also lost a critical battle with Endor, allowing the Rebels access next week to the second battle of the forest moon occurring in Endor Clearing. A victory here could see the Rebels capture an all too vital second sector which would in turn give them the opportunity to stage an assault against the Empire's super weapon, the Death Star.
So with two victories losing no points, the Imperials come out with 25 points, while the Rebels with their one victory lose 4.5 for unregistered players taking them to 15.5 points. This week the scores are:
Imperials 128.5
Rebels 124.5
The Sanctuary Moon looks to be playing host to some of the most critical battles of the war next week, with a sector's future hanging in the balance. If Endor falls to the Alliance then an attack on the Death Star wouldn't be far behind. Additionally Rebel space forces hope to hamper the Imperial war effort in the outer rim by cutting them off from vital re-supply convoys which they hope to intercept at Kessel. Exciting times ahead. Which means next week:
Endor Strike Team
Imperial Convoy Raid
Endor Clearing
COULD THIS GET ANY CLOSER!! Remember, there is a sector battle this coming week which could lead to the Rebels announcing an intention to attack the Death Star if they succeed in hold off the Imperials on Endor Clearing.
If you feel you have the skills to help out either faction in its quest to rule the galaxy, head on over to:
Here we go then folks, time for the round five results! Not a bad turnout this week, in fact towards the end we had enough players that both sides agreed to try the 32 player version of Taloraan to extend the round a little longer, resulting in a great final battle!
ROUND 1: ESCAPE FROM HOTH
Like Womp Rats deserting a sinking ship, once again a flotilla of Rebel Alliance transports tried to break the Empire's blockade of the Hoth system, with the aid of a starfighter escort and cover fire from an annoyingly effective planetary Ion Cannon. With the Star Destroyer covering the immediate sector disabled it was up to her compliment of TIE Fighters and Bombers to foil the Rebels' attempts at escape. At one point it looked like a transport was getting dangerously close to the hyperspace jump point and freedom thanks to good tactics and cover from her sister ship, but a relentless bombardment of proton torpedoes finally saw the Rebels' hopes go up in flames quite spectacularly, followed shortly by her fellow transport's fiery demise, resulting in a victory for the Empire.
ROUND 2: RHEN VAR: RESEARCH FACILITY
Under the cover of a fierce snow storm, a Rebel commando unit managed to land and deploy on the ice world of Rhen Var with the intent of raiding the advanced weapons Imperial Research station situated there. The insertion initially took the Imperial troops stationed there by surprise, and it was only when they consolidated their forces and managed to push that first attack back, that they gained the tactical advantage. Getting dug in, the Imperial Snowtroopers made short work of the remaining advances, and after their initial push was repelled, the fight seemed to go out of the Rebel soldiers. In the closing moments of the battle the Rebels made a tactical move, that if done earlier could have turned the tide, but it was too little too late, and in the end the Imperial troops managed to entirely wipe out the invading force.
ROUND 3: BATTLE OF TALORAAN
Facing Rebel warships over Taloraan in the past quite recently, the Imperial starfleet now made sure that any convoys to and from Taloraan did so under heavy escort. The Empire had scored a victory last time they clashed with the Rebels in this system, but that had been a lucky victory to say the least. How would they fare in a second encounter? Once again a strike force of Rebel ships advanced on Taloraan seeking the vital tibanna gas which is mined there. Once again they held their primary assets back sending in their more heavily armed fighters to soften up the Imperial capital ships, forcing them to advance on the Rebel positions. Salvos of torpedoes raked across the hull of the Imperial Carrack cruiser as it advanced with a Freighter close behind providing field repairs. The Carrack's deadly proton torpedo launchers proved deadly against the enemy capital ships once it reached effective range, and the cruiser's anti-fighter gunners did great work decimating the Rebel fighters as they executed their strafing runs, but the damage done was too great, and once the repair Freighter was destroyed the Carrack soon followed. Lancer Frigates then moved in on the Rebel positions and though several Rebel cruisers were destroyed in the resulting conflict, this time as the last Lancer blossomed into and expanding fiery ball of gas it became evident that this day belonged to the Alliance and victory was theirs.
Check out more gun cam footage from the conflict:
Additionally this week we also have access to an underground recruitment holo from the Rebel Alliance:
This week we have a bit of a turn around with the Imperials taking 2 rounds, losing to a superior fighter force and tactical play on Taloraan. That grants 25 to Imperials and 20 to Rebels. Imperials lose half a point taking them to 24.5 while Rebels lose 3 for unregistered players taking them to 17 points. Adding this to the scores so far leaves us with:
Imperials 103.5
Rebels 109
The maps to be played this week have been adjusted to reflect the acquisition of a sector each by both factions, and as such the planets and battle sites within these sectors will not be played again in this campaign as the battle moves on to pastures new.
Having struck a major blow to the Rebels efforts to regroup following Hoth, the Imperials now find themselves trying to force back a Rebel assault on a Research Facility located on the ice planet of Rhen Var. Meanwhile, word has also come through that the Rebels have fallen for the trap awaiting them at the forest moon of Endor. After securing vital supplies over Taloraan, the Alliance feels prepared to strike at a secret Imperial installation developing prototype TIE craft in the Parmel sector.
So, next week:
Rhen Var: Research Facility
Endor Strike Team
Strike at Parmel
If the Rebels actually manage to turn up in enough numbers next week then, they could secure a victory on Endor which would give them an opportunity to move on to Clearing and take another sector! Similarly, if they take a victory on having another crack at Rhen Var: Research, that could lead the to Ice Plains, again giving them a chance at winning a vital sector and allowing them to make a push on Yavin for galactic victory.
So, those that have pledged allegiance to the Alliance, will you finally show your faces and take on the best the Empire has to offer? Or continue to sit in the shadows and hope others win the battles for you?
If you feel you have the skills to help out either faction in its quest to rule the galaxy, head on over to:
Closed Alpha Test & Deth..
